Anchor set up

I almost got hung up off the Marin Islands on Sunday. I realized I need to create a +/- quick release so I can pull the anchor out by the bottom. I've seen reference to the topic here on NCKA posts, but no images. Will this setup work if the zip tie is thin enough to break off with a strong pull? If there are better solutions I'd appreciate learning about them. Randy

I would use chain instead of rope.  Fasten the chain to the ziptie in such a way so that when you pull the anchor, the pressure is on the chain and not on the ziptie.

You ziptie likely won't last very long under normal conditions as rigged.

I would use chain instead of rope.  Fasten the chain to the ziptie in such a way so that when you pull the anchor, the pressure is on the chain and not on the ziptie.

You ziptie likely won't last very long under normal conditions as rigged.

+1 on the chain, I change the zip tie after a few rounds...

This might help some for a reference

So, would you replace the last 5-10' of the anchor line with chain, connect the terminal end of the chain to the bottom of the anchor, and then zip tie the top of the anchor to a chain link at a point next to the top of the anchor? It would seem that once the zip tie is broken you could un-snag a stuck anchor by pulling from the bottom end.

Spiffy - thanks for the image. I have all the parts in place as per the diagram (except the chain section), but wanted to work out how to set the terminal end to make a stuck anchor retrieval as easy as possible.

So, would you replace the last 5-10' of the anchor line with chain, connect the terminal end of the chain to the bottom of the anchor, and then zip tie the top of the anchor to a chain link at a point next to the top of the anchor? It would seem that once the zip tie is broken you could un-snag a stuck anchor by pulling from the bottom end.

Yup

Yeah long chain from top to bottom with an extra 2’ of chain past the anchor... heavier the chain the better. Very needed in SPB and river systems

Input much appreciated. Randy

The problem with your current anchor rope setup is that if your anchor gets stuck, and you pull on the anchor rope, little tension is placed on the zip tie.  The rope can just slide through the zip tie.  If you attach about three feet of heavy chain to the bottom of the anchor with a shackle, and then attach the chain to the loop on the top of the anchor with a zip tie, as shown below, the chain will improve the holding power of your anchor, and if you catch the anchor on the bottom, you can break the zip tie so the anchor line and chain are pulling on the bottom of the anchor rather than the loop on the top, which will often dislodge the anchor from the bottom.  But I have the following suggestions:

1. Be sure to leave enough slack in the chain between the zip tie and the shackle on the bottom of the anchor so when you pull on the anchor line, it puts tension on the zip tie, not on the shackle on the bottom of the anchor.

2. It can be surprisingly difficult to break a typical zip tie by pulling on your the anchor line.  First, hook the anchor to something on dry ground and try to break the zip tie by pulling on the anchor line.  If you can'[t break the zip tie, try a thinner zip tie or a loop of heavy monofilament. Then find a way to hook the anchor on the bottom, and try to break the zip tie by pulling straight up on the anchor line while you're sitting in your kayak.  It will be even harder to break the zip tie when you're sitting in your kayak. Again, if you can't break the zip tie, change to a thinner zip tie or a loop of mono.  The bottom line is that if you catch your anchor on the bottom, but your zip tie is too thick to break when you're sitting in your kayak, you won't be able to change the pull on your anchor from the loop on its top to the shackle on its bottom/.

3. If you intentionally or accidently break your zip tie, your anchor won't work very well.  So attach a couple of spare zip ties to the loop at the top of your anchor.  Then if you break your zip tie, your can cut one of the spare zip ties, run it through the anchor chain, and then re-attach the zip tie.

That's my setup.  I use 1/2" chain though.  Just recently figured out the loose tension between the zip tie and the bottom connection.  It creates a little help when pulling on the rope to break the zip tie.

Concepts are best refined by experience. Thanks for sharing the knowledge, pmmpete and Eddie. I can see it now, and can see how my original idea lacks functionality. I'll revise the layout accordingly.

Anchor situations have been some of my most dangerous situations.  Glad you're getting this figured out.  For my anchor, I attached a carabiner and a small length of paracord at the bottom of the anchor and tied it to my chain so I can detach it and just drag my chain to slow down my drift if I'm going too fast.  Kind of a twofer...

Anchor situations have been some of my most dangerous situations.  Glad you're getting this figured out.  For my anchor, I attached a carabiner and a small length of paracord at the bottom of the anchor and tied it to my chain so I can detach it and just drag my chain to slow down my drift if I'm going too fast.  Kind of a twofer...

and have spares LOL 😝

Anchor situations have been some of my most dangerous situations.  Glad you're getting this figured out.  For my anchor, I attached a carabiner and a small length of paracord at the bottom of the anchor and tied it to my chain so I can detach it and just drag my chain to slow down my drift if I'm going too fast.  Kind of a twofer...

and have spares LOL 😝

Dang, you busted me I've lost 2 anchors and wrecked one.  Good to have friends with spares...